Using the word "si" in this sentence
I've tried looking up different articles, but none of them give me what I'm looking for. I actually know how I'm supposed to say it, but I would like to further understand exactly what it is that I am saying. In English, we often repeat the word "do" to say that we indeed do something. Like if someone were to say, "You did not do it." and you replied with, "I did do it." I've been told that you use "si" in place of that first "do." For example, "Tú nunca me hablas." "Yo si te hablo." If I am correct, how exactly is "si" being translated? Also, how else can "si" be used when using it in sentences like these?
3 Answers
To give emphasis in Spanish you do use the adverb "sí" ("yes") (en castellano sí se usa el adverbio "sí" para dar énfasis)
It isn't always a word-by-word replacement, but it does convey the idea of the sentence in English ("sí transmite la idea de la oración original")
"I do love you" (sí te amo)
"I did do my homework" ( yo sí hice mi tarea)
Yet another example of how translation doesn't always work by simply changing one or two words for their equivalents. Like this one, you simply have to write the English meanng of the Spanish source without being concerned about the "literal" translation.
Spanish does not have the emphatic form of the present tense or any other tense (A little edit here). When you use the word did in I did do it, your using the emphatic form in the past tense. Since it doesn't exist is Spanish there is no real translation you just have to get the idea of emphasis and this is done with sí meaning affirmation. Does this help?
